While mighty truth with us remain, Hell’s arts shall move us never; Nor parting friendship, honors, gains, Our love from Jesus sever: They leave us when they part With him a peaceful heart; And when from dust we rise, Death yields us as he dies, The crown of life forever! GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING. The Parable of “The Three Kings,” from “Nathan the Wise.” In the oldest times, and in an eastern land, There lived a man who had a precious ring. This gem—an opal of a hundred tints— Had such a virtue as would make the wearer Who trusted it, beloved by God and man. What wonder, if the man who had this ring Preserved it well, and, by his will, declared It should forever in his house remain? At last when death came near, he called the son Whom he loved best, and gave to him the ring, With one strict charge:—“My son, when you must die, Let this be given to your own darling child— The son whom you love best, without regard To any rights of birth.”—’Twas thus the ring Was always passed on to the best-beloved. Sultaùn! you understand me? _Saladin._ Yea. Go on!— _Nathan._ A father, who, at last possessed this ring Had three dear sons—all dutiful and true— All three alike beloved.—But, at one time, This son, and then another, seemed most dear— Most worthy of the ring; and it was given, By promise, first to this son, then to that, Until it might be claimed by all the three. At last, when death drew nigh, the father felt His heart distracted by the doubt to whom The ring was due. He could not favor one And leave two sons in grief! How did he act? He called a goldsmith in, gave him the gem, And bade him make exactly of that form, Two other rings, and spare nor cost nor pains To make all three alike. And this was done So well, the owner of the first, true ring, Could find no shade of difference in the three. And now he called his sons—one at a time— He gave to each a blessing and a ring— One of the three—and died— _Saladin._ Well, well. Go on. _Nathan._ My tale is ended. You may guess the sequel:— The father dies; immediately each son Comes forward with his ring, and asks to be Proclaimed as head and ruler of the house; All three assert one claim, and show their rings— All made alike. To find the first—the true— It was as great a puzzle as for us— To find the one true faith. _Saladin._ Is that, then, all the answer I must have? _Nathan._ ’Tis my apology, if I decline To act as judge, or to select the ring— The one, true gem, of three all made alike; All given by one— _Saladin._ There! talk no more of “rings.” The three religions, that, at first, were named, Are all distinct—aye, down to dress—food—drink—